-
An Englishman and his photobook haven in Seongsu
Alan Eglinton, visual artist and owner of Same Dust in Seoul, hopes to connect with artists and art lovers through photography Seoul’s hipster capital of Seongsu-dong is bustling like never before, its streets and cafes drawing throngs even in the winter cold. Fancy pop-up stores are around virtually every corner, each one a magnet for an endless stream of picture-perfect moments. Overlooking an intersection near Exit 5 of Ttukseom Station, Same Dust is a quiet refuge for the artistically inclin
Jan. 8, 2025 -
Are TikTokers turning into a public nuisance?
Content creators filming in public spaces: A new norm to embrace or a behavior to regulate? One-person media is enjoying a heyday in Korea. The number of domestic digital creators, including YouTubers and TikTokers, exceeded 35,000 in 2023, with the personal media industry‘s total revenue reaching 4 trillion won ($2.8 billion), according to a report by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Korea Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission released in January. The rapid growth of digital con
Jan. 7, 2025 -
Small stones, big benefits: Why some South Koreans are serious about 'gonggi'
Seen in 'Squid Game 2,' Korean traditional game 'gonggi' shares similarities with games from other cultures, helps improve hand-eye coordination for people of all ages Come March, the class of elementary school teacher Im Seon-ah sees students sitting on the floor in groups of four to six, tossing, throwing and catching plastic stones in a game of “gonggi.” Though the game is trending following its appearance in “Squid Game 2,” for Im, it is a time-old classic that has helped numerous young kids
Jan. 7, 2025 -
Where are Korea’s young part-timers eager to work? It's not cafes
Young Koreans seeking part-time gigs are increasingly looking for opportunities at trendy stores and pop-up events, while convenience stores remain their No. 1 choice, an online recruiting firm specializing in part-time and temporary job listings said Monday. Alba Heaven’s 2024 analysis of keywords searched on its website and app revealed that "yogurt ice cream" spiked nearly 14 times, reflecting the local food trend. Searches for "Yoajeong" and "Yogurt World," two leading franchises specializin
Jan. 6, 2025 -
'It's just subtle, not serious': What Koreans miss when downplaying racism
Confronting xenophobia, prevalent but largely unrecognized as a problem, is crucial for South Korea‘s transition to truly multicultural society, experts say Online comments dismissing xenophobia in South Korea as insignificant are surprisingly common. For example, when Chosun Ilbo, a major Korean news outlet, published an article in March about racial discrimination and xenophobia in Itaewon, many readers argued it exaggerated the problem. Reactions included: “Don’t talk nonsense, reporter. It’s
Jan. 4, 2025 -
For some, babies don't come easily. It takes long, unconventional journeys
From in-vitro fertilization to surrogacy, some journeys to parenthood push personal, societal boundaries Babies are cherished everywhere, but in South Korea, they hold greater significance than in most places. The country has officially entered into a “super-aged society” this year, where over 20 percent of the population is aged 65 or older, and has one of the world’s lowest fertility rates, at just 0.72, meaning 72 babies born for every 100 women over their lifetimes. Yet, the joy surrounding
Jan. 1, 2025 -
How old are you? The answer is ... complicated.
South Korea has officially dropped traditional age-counting system that made everyone 1-2 years older. But many still use it. Why? When asked his age, Park Se-kyu used to answer in two simple ways: “I'm 34,” or “I was born in 1990.” But since June last year, his responses have expanded to three: “I'm 34 in Korean age,” ”Technically, I'm 33 in ‘Yoon Suk Yeol age,’” or “I was born in 1990." Whenever Park mentions his international age -- often referred to locally as “Yoon Suk Yeol age” after the K
Jan. 1, 2025 -
![[Korea Quiz] 'Moon neighborhoods'](https://wimg.heraldcorp.com/news/cms/2024/12/25/news-p.v1.20241224.3c86d28dce734264aca22dabb46f95f1_T1.jpg?type=h&h=240)
[Korea Quiz] 'Moon neighborhoods'
Find the answer at the bottom. In South Korea, some urban areas are called “moon neighborhoods,” or "daldongne" in Korean. Although it is primarily for their location on higher ground, seemingly closer to the moon, the term also reflects the challenge of living in these areas, which are often steep, difficult to access and home to low-income households. The term became widespread in the 1980s after the popular TV drama, “Daldongnae,” depicted the lives of rural-to-urban migrants who settled in m
Dec. 25, 2024 -
Why are Gen Z always at cafes?
We asked 10 Gen Z Koreans, many of them at cafes, about their relationship with coffee Korean youth seem to always be at cafes. They read books, study or simply are there to get outside the house. On dates, they check out the trendiest cafes. Their trips to getaway destinations almost always include visiting trendy local cafes. But what does coffee mean to young people? The Korea Herald spoke to 10 Generation Z individuals about coffee's significance in their lives. ‘Takeout prices should stay a
Dec. 24, 2024 -
Not just moms, wives: Korean women's daily struggle for identity
For generations, womanhood in South Korea has been inextricably linked to motherhood, a role often defined by self-sacrifice. But today, Korean women are questioning these norms, striving to reclaim their identities as individuals, not just as daughters, wives or moms, and to redefine what it means to be a woman. To capture a snapshot of this change, The Korea Herald spoke with seven women, ranging from a stay-at-home mom in her 50s who bitterly regrets the limited choices she had compared to to
Dec. 21, 2024 -
Why awakening of Mount Baekdu is a source of fear for South Koreans
When the North Korean mountain erupted in 946, it was more powerful than the one that buried Pompeii Straddling the border between China and North Korea, Mount Baekdu holds immense symbolic significance for the people on the Korean Peninsula -- so much so that it graces the lyrics of both Koreas' national anthems. Revered as the mythical birthplace of the Korean people, the 2,744-meter-tall mountain is steeped in legends and myths. One of them even features a mysterious creature dwelling in Heav
Dec. 20, 2024